Jaguar XE new model - thoughts?

madds

I'm currently driving a 08 Accord (2.2 CTDi) and my annual mileage has come down a lot in the last 6 months as I'm now working from home 3 days per week. When I have to travel into the office it's a 15km trip along the N4 & M50.

I've been leaning towards a switch to petrol for a while now but can't find anything that ticks all the boxes (interior/exterior looks, gadgets, the right engine). If the A4 had the same interior as the A6 I'd buy one of those.

Came across the new Jaguar XE a couple of months back and immediately liked the look of it. I really like that they've done with it inside and out and it has a couple of 2 litre petrol engines in the range.

The usual go to online car reviewers have yet to get their hands on it (Carwow, BobF). I'm hoping to take one out in the next couple of weeks but was wondering if anyone here had been in one or had any thoughts on this new offering from Jaguar? My plan would be to go and pick a 6-month old one up from the UK just before Brexit kicks in.

Thanks.

bazz26

I just find the interior to be of lower quality than you would expect from a premium brand, some of the plastics look and feel very cheap imo. The Mercedes C Class has probably one of the nicest interiors in that class of car and they are available in petrol too as well as petrol/hybrid.

madds

Thanks Bazz, just to clarify, your comments about the cheap feel interior relate to the new model XE and not the outgoing model, correct?

bazz26

Is there much of a difference? It's only a mid life facelift rather than an all new model.

pinktoe

The entry XF isn't much dearer and looks better imo and would be nicer to be in.

The XE looks great in pictures but in person there's something off about them. It's like they were trying to make it look big and then changed there mind at the rear quarter panel.

At the end of the day if you like it go for it, but test drive a couple of alternatives.

kooga

pinktoe wrote: »

The entry XF isn't much dearer and looks better imo and would be nicer to be in.

The XE looks great in pictures but in person there's something off about them. It's like they were trying to make it look big and then changed there mind at the rear quarter panel.

At the end of the day if you like it go for it, but test drive a couple of alternatives.

i find the spec of jags here really woeful - and the car is very sensitive in looks to the size of wheel under it.

Oafley Jones

bazz26 wrote: »

Is there much of a difference? It's only a mid life facelift rather than an all new model.

Yes, the facelift got a much improved interior. Haven’t seen it in person, but I thought the launch model was woeful. Still doesn’t fix the cramped interior space or the vehicles odd looking proportions. Rumour suggest that this XE isn’t going to be around much longer given its dismal sales.

kooga

Oafley Jones wrote: »

Yes, the facelift got a much improved interior. Haven’t seen it in person, but I thought the launch model was woeful. Still doesn’t fix the cramped interior space or the vehicles odd looking proportions. Rumour suggest that this XE isn’t going to be around much longer given its dismal sales.

the c class is a much nicer place to be in

madds

Thanks for the replies folks. Guess it's all subjective. I'll definitely need to get a good look at a new XE in the next few weeks and check out the interior quality. Nothing worse than sitting in something that feels cheap.

On the C-class, I'm not a fan of the sticky on iPad screen but understand there is a new model due early 2020, which would hopefully have the integrated screen similar to the A & E class. I do like the new Merc interiors.

As I read on another thread this morning..."there'll always be a new model out next year".

bazz26

BMW G20 330i?

Heres Johnny

madds wrote: »

I'm currently driving a 08 Accord (2.2 CTDi) and my annual mileage has come down a lot in the last 6 months as I'm now working from home 3 days per week. When I have to travel into the office it's a 15km trip along the N4 & M50.

I've been leaning towards a switch to petrol for a while now but can't find anything that ticks all the boxes (interior/exterior looks, gadgets, the right engine). If the A4 had the same interior as the A6 I'd buy one of those.

Came across the new Jaguar XE a couple of months back and immediately liked the look of it. I really like that they've done with it inside and out and it has a couple of 2 litre petrol engines in the range.

The usual go to online car reviewers have yet to get their hands on it (Carwow, BobF). I'm hoping to take one out in the next couple of weeks but was wondering if anyone here had been in one or had any thoughts on this new offering from Jaguar? My plan would be to go and pick a 6-month old one up from the UK just before Brexit kicks in.

Thanks.

Why not buy an A6? you obviously like them.

Too big??

AMKC

A Lexus maybe.

bazz26

The current IS is a bit dated at this stage.

Casati

Check VRT on a petrol XE, I think they are v high band so not worth it over a diesel. I like the design though the C class is lovely too

If petrol is key then an old shape 330e or possibly a C350e would be good options due to the tiny VRT you’d pay. If you can charge them then that’s a benefit too

A4 1.4 TSI is a good option if your not looking for loads of power and you often see pre reg or v low mileage versions going cheap in Ireland. Yes the A6 is nicer but a lot dearer

ba_barabus

Of you want to go left field don't forget the Alfa Guilia.

I really wanted to like the XE but the second I sat in one I was disappointed. Terrible interior, packaging and space.

madds

Heres Johnny wrote: »

Why not buy an A6? you obviously like them.

Too big??

The A6 was my original choice but with my reduced mileage I'm wondering if I really need a big car sitting out in my drive when I'll be doing less than 200km per week. The space in the A6 is a plus - I have 3 kids between 15 and 9 - but I was planning on upgrading my wife's 172 Qashqai when the family outgrew that.

So my thinking was to get a smaller option for myself but something which keeps me happy. I'll admit the 330i that Bazz suggested has me thinking.

bazz26

I cannot see the justification for a bigger A6 sitting on your driveway being any less than a 6 month old XE doing the same thing to be honest. Both are going to do the same.

ba_barabus

In defence of an A6, you've a better chance of getting a petrol one than most cars in its class which given the OPs driving might make a lot if sense.

ambro25

Driving an older XE here, admittedly I bought it for the engine and driving smiles (S model, F type 3.0 supercharged engine).

Drive plenty of Mercs (C & E), Audis (A4/6/8L) and top-end Citroen (C5 2.7 V6 exclusive, not much to envy German badges, to my surprise) before, and it is easily as nice a place to be as those, but a better driving position and experience, and just as practical as C class I’m coming from.

Lower end XE models may not enjoy the same level of finish/attention as an S, but until I can afford top-end Merc metal (AMG with all the toys), can’t see myself changing badge or size.

bazz26

New Volvo S60 is worth a look at too.

madds

Thanks for sharng your thoughts all. Think I'll go ahead and take a look at the new XE, and if not up to par will go back to my original plan which was to pick up a new model A6. Thanks again.

Heres Johnny

We have both a 5 series msport and and an a6 S Line in the house both 2014 and if I was buying a new car I'd be in the new model a6 all day long. On the interior where it really matters its the best thing around at the moment in my opinion.
Only problem is selling both our 2014 cars with 70k kms on them would still leave us approx 20k short of a new A6 which, when you think of it, is bonkers.
One of them is probably going this year for an electric or a smaller run around as she has absolutely no need for a big diesel and think we will keep the Audi.